Taupo sports shop expands, diversifies

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 27 (Supplement)

Taupo sports shop expands, diversifies

Ski shows, sail boards, mono skis, UK shop talk and high tech gear to boot!

Challenger Sports, based on the Lakefront in Taupo, is planning further expansions this season. The Challenger team have organised a major series of "snowshows" traveling through Tauranga, Rotorua, Napier, and of course Taupo. These will be attended by both Turoa and Whakapapa Skifields as well as most sld importers. The dates have been set, from May 12-15. Challenger Sports was formed in 1981 by Bruce Bartley and John Pearce. Windsurfing was the base and the business grew along with the sport. In 1982 the move was made into skiing, allowing year round activity. There are now many people involved in the Challenger business. Among them is Richard Paterson, the energetic Saies Manager. He's pretty enthusiastic about the new clothing this year: "The new fluoros are hot!" Bruce and John are still vitally involved in the business John Pearce has just returned from a summer spent working in the largest ski shop in London. Within two months he was offered the position of store manager, indicating the calibre of Kiwi businessmen. The volume of ski equipment sold by this London store is huge by comparison with any new Zealand stores. "John's experience from the United Kingdom and Europe means that the depth of experience available to our customers is second to none. This is really important with the sort of high-tech equipment we're seeing now," says Bruce. Maintaining this equipment is important too, and Challenger have a full Crystal Glide workshop. They also advertise a boot fitting clinic, including Peterson and other fitting aids. Challenger offer a full rental service, including skis, boots, clothing, toboggans, snowboards, monoskis, telemark equipment, and more. "It's hard work," says Richard. "We're open 12 hours a day 7 days a week during the season. It is really hard but we have a lot of fun, too." With that sort of commitment it's not surprising they're putting themselves, and Taupo, on the map.